Chelsea to break transfer record for Stones

Chelsea will make John Stones the most expensive defender in British football when they return with a new offer for the Everton defender.

The Merseysiders have already turned down a bid in excess of £25 million from Chelsea last week, and the champions are willing to increase their bid for the 21-year-old to over £30 million meaning that they would be breaking the record set by Manchester United when they bought Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United in 2002.

Stones is thought of as potential long term replacement for John Terry by some, and a defensive partner for Chelsea’s captain by others, but Everton have so far insisted that he is not for sale.